Cannondale
Bad Boy 2
- 2018

Built to excel on tough city streets, the Bad Boy 2 rocks and rolls over cracks and pot holes with speed and comfort so you get to your destination safely. High-volume 650b Schwalbe G-One tires grip with tenacity while cushioning small bump
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Details

Built to excel on tough city streets, the Bad Boy 2 rocks and rolls over cracks and pot holes with speed and comfort so you get to your destination safely. High-volume 650b Schwalbe G-One tires grip with tenacity while cushioning small bumps, and the SmartForm premium alloy frame is lightweight with a responsive feel. Integrated and rechargeable LED lights on the Lefty LightPipe fork and seatpost alert traffic of your presence, and a top tube bumper protects your frame from dings when locking it to a rack or post. Finishing off this utilitarian build is a sprightly 1 x 11 Shimano drivetrain and all-weather hydraulic disc brakes.

Light, clean and simple. The integrated lights, internal cable routing leave nothing but the frame to see. Surprisingly light for an alloy frame. It's comfortable and highly maneuverable. I like the 1x11 drivetrain over the interval hub of the Bad Boy 1 because it gives more range and is way lighter. the lack of front derailuer eliminates most causes of chain drop. Has to be ridden to be appreciated.

My bike is a 2015...same bike. I really want to love this bike as it's the most expensive bike I've ever bought. The components are OK, though the brakes are entry level discs and the overall quality--fit and finish--is also good. I doubt the flat paint will hold up as well as a glossy finish and there is already a spot where a cable is rubbing it down. The bike handles pretty well but it's also on the heavy side. Still, I reckoned, it would be tough enough to handle Denver's roads and not stand out to thieves.
The 'but' is a pretty big one. I'm already on my second HeadShock cartridge and it, too, is leaking. It starts with telltale dirt accumulation around the bottom of the rubber gator, then the oil starts dripping out of the bottom of the shock, after which safe riding is impossible. Cannondale replaced the first one (requiring FACTORY service and three weeks' downtime) without a whimper but they're balking at doing it again. It's $120 to get it done and it has to be done by Cannondale.
Before the shock fails, it works really well. I take my bike out two to three times a month, mostly on concrete bike paths, so abuse isn't a factor. Cannondale makes good bikes--my last one was going strong after twelve years...it was stolen or I'd still be riding it. I'd heartily recommend any of its other frames...but I'd go for one with RockShox forks. I'm afraid I'll be buying a LOT of expensive cartridges for this bike until I get tired of it and trade it in for something more durable...